Anyone with experience of chronic illness......

[Tates]

Basically, does it get easier to cope the longer you've been ill for? Cos I really just feel so lost at the moment, like I keep going round and round in circles, feeling better one day and then right back to feeling crap the next. And I've kept saying to myself that it'll get easier with time, but it doesn't seem like it has :no: This last week I've just been so stupid, drinking loads when I know I shouldn't, just because I want to have some fun and feel like a normal student, but then every time I get drunk I get so upset....so yeah, I know logically you'd just say don't drink, but.....oh I don't know, just feel shit.

I am trying to be constructive, seeing a counsellor etc, but why isn't it making everything better? I'm going to France for a year in september, and at the moment that's a really scary idea. I spoke to my tutor today...well, I cried and she talked....and she said at the moment she'd be worried about me going to France and being away from the support I've got here. And I know she's got a point....but also I feel like being at uni and doing well at it is the thing that's making me try and keep things together, and if I take a year out then I don't know what will happen :confused:

I don't know if what I've said makes any sense, or if anyone can really help....I mean, I know it's me that has to change things, but I could just do with feeling like I have some support and advice to help me along.

Tates x

[hazell]

hi, i know its a real pain at first but it does get easier to deal with. how long have you had your illness? you work out a routine and know what you can and can't do. ive had a chronic illness for around 5 and half years and even though sometimes it hurts, you do figure out how to make the pain less. im luck cos mine isnt that bad but if yours is i reckon you just need to give it a little time.

and france might help take your mind off things too.

hope you feel better soon.

[Tates]

It's pretty much 3 years to the day since I was diagnosed.......which I know is quite a long time, which is why I feel like I should be more sorted than I am about it :(

[hazell]

try not to worry about how long its been things will get better. have you talked to your doctors about it? im sure theyll do all they can to help and may be able to isloate particular instances and possible reasons. it may be something in your routine and i know stress may play a large part. it could be due to uni/college. i really wish i could help some more but i found that positive do help.

take care

[Blah]

i wouldnt say it gets easier, no

but you do get used to it.

I have been diagnosed for about 3 years but had it 9 years alltogether (pre-diagnosis) so i dont remember what its like to not have it and be normal like my friends.

If you can find treatment then it can be easier to live with

[hazell]

sorry what i meant was that when you learn to cope (somewhat) it makes things slightly easier.

[Lu_C]

Hi tates,

Sorry you feel like this... I know what you mean. I don't think it gets easier as such but I think you'll find ways of coping and being happier with the life you've been given. Things won't be easy but I think it takes a long long time to get used to living with a chronic illness, a few years or so and once you've got over all the anger, frustration, questions etc it's easier to just brush those thoughts to one side for longer periods of time and get on with life anyway.

It might be that you're just not ready for going to france for a year now but you will be when you are (if you get me).


I know things will seem unfair - like the drinking thing. And I know what you mean about drinking anyway despite knowing it'll make you feel worse - you just feel like you have the right to live your life how you want to and how everyone else gets to live theirs. Sometimes you need to make little sacrifices like that and even if it means you're in pain or whatever afterwards I find it tends to keep me feeling more sane and more like me... like sometimes I refuse to take painkillers even when I'm crawling up the walls. It's a little stubborn but it helps me feel more in control.

I don't know if I've made sense at all.

(((huge hugs)))

[Blah]

like sometimes I refuse to take painkillers even when I'm crawling up the walls. It's a little stubborn but it helps me feel more in control.

oh my god i know exactly what you mean when you say that, most of the time i dont want to take any pain relief and then i get people moaning saying that im not helping myself. But it makes me feel like its up to me if i take a pain killer and i dont want to have to...hard to explain

anyway sorry to hijack

[Tates]

oh my god i know exactly what you mean when you say that, most of the time i dont want to take any pain relief and then i get people moaning saying that im not helping myself. But it makes me feel like its up to me if i take a pain killer and i dont want to have to...hard to explain

I know exactly what you two mean, but thought I was totally alone in doing it. I always do that with my painkillers, and it's exactly why you say - so that I feel in control, like it's my choice and not my diseases. I know it would probably sound really stupid to some people, but to me it makes me feel slightly more in control of my body, even when all these weird things are happening to it.

Lu_C, everything you've said makes perfect sense. I think France is going to need some serious thinking about some time soon, I guess with my parents at Easter is the best time.....I just don't know how to feel about it right now, but I guess also I don't have to just yet. I feel like I will get through this semester whatever happens, I've done well enough last semester to mean that as long as I stick at it I should get a decent mark, and that's what I'm determined to do. And after that....who knows.

Thanks guys, everyone's comments are really helping, definitely helping me to try and make sense of things. Thank you xxxx